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WRITING
UNIT 7: Pie charts – Noticing & Analyzing
I. Pre-writing
2. Introducing IELTS Writing Task 1 – Pie charts
Main features of a pie chart:
- A pie chart is a circular chart divided into segments, representing percentage (%).
A pie chart consists of one or more circles which show how the total amount is divided. A pie chart
task usually includes a title, segments, names of each segment and percentage (%).
- If the charts show changes over years, they are called dynamic charts.
- If the charts illustrate how information is distributed in one year, they are called static charts.
One sample question of a static chart is provided below:

The pie charts below give data on the spending and consumption of
resources by countries of the world and how the population is
distributed.

(IELTS Recent Mock Tests Volume 6 Writing Practice Test 5. Retrieved 5 January, 2022, from
https://ieltsonlinetests.com/vi/wot/result/7178)

One sample question of a dynamic chart is provided below:

The pie charts below show the percentage of housing owned and
rented in the UK in 1991 and 2007.
 (Mock Test 2020 July Writing Practice Test 1. Retrieved 5 January, 2022, from
https://ieltsonlinetests.com/vi/wot/result/writing-practice-test-1-145244)

3. Strategy

Strategy to analyze static pie charts (in one given year)

- Compare the most favorable/ the highest proportion with

Overview the least favorable/ the lowest one.

Focus on:
+ The highest proportion/ second highest proportion
Details (Type 1 - 1 pie
chart): + The quarter/ half/ a third, etc.

Main features + The small proportions should be combined together

+ The category “Others” could be ignored if it’s a small
number.

- Compare data between diagrams as well as within

diagrams.
- Focus on:
Details (Type 2 - Multiple
+ The highest proportion/ second highest proportion
pie charts):
+ The quarter/ half/ a third, etc.
Main features
+ The small proportions should be combined together
+ The category “Others” could be ignored if it’s a small
number.

4. Language for Writing

4.1. Language to describe percentage (%): Percentage/ proportion/ allocation of + Noun
Examples: The percentage of students taking part in the school fair is 29%.
The proportion of water consumption is 50%.
The allocation of school fee in each family’s consumption is 30%.

* Verbs that go with percentage (%):

(A small N) + account for/ make up/ take up/ contribute/ constitute + percentage+ of +
(a bigger N)
Examples:
Females account for 30% of the students in Hallston highs school.
Males made up 25% of the workers who like playing football in ABC company.
Teenagers from 12 to 17 years old take up 97% of the youngsters who are addicted to online
games.
In 1995, energy produced by Coal contributed the highest proportion, at 29.80% of the total
energy production in France.
The under-18-year-old residents constitute nearly 25 percent of the town's population.

4.2. Language of Fractions

Percentage Fractions

10% One in ten

25% A quarter

50% Half

55% More than half

75% Three-quarters

30% Less than a third

4.3. Language of qualifiers (to make your descriptions more accurate)

Percentage Fractions

35% Just over a third

48% Nearly a half

49% Just under a half

73% Approximately three –

quarters

98% Almost all of + noun

4.4. Comparison language
4.4.1. Comparatives and Superlatives
A static chart requires students to compare and contrast information. In order to do this, it’s
important to use comparatives and superlatives.

One syllable Comparative Superlative

small the

large the

good the

Two syllables Comparative Superlative

expensive

modern

Example: Food accounts for the largest percentage of the world spending.
4.4.2. Other comparison language

double/ triple (adj) The number of students in university A was double that in
university B.

double/ triple (v) The percentage of students in university A doubled

between 2010 and 2015. (*)

twofold/ threefold There was a twofold increase in the number of students

(adj) between 2010 and 2015. (*)

twofold/ threefold The percentage of students in university A increased

(adv) twofold between 2010 and 2015. (*)

(*) used for dynamic charts only

Task 3: Analyze the following pie chart. Read the statements and decide whether they
are correct (C) or not correct (NC). If the statement is not correct, rewrite it.
The pie chart shows the average household energy used in Someland in 2021.
(Adapted from https://ielts-fever.com/the-pie-chart-below-shows-where-energy-is-used-in-a-
typical-australian-household. IELTS FEVER.)

1. Just over a third of the total energy was used for heating and cooling purposes. C / NC
2. The people in Someland used just a little under a quarter of their household electricity for
water heating. C / NC
3. Another significant usage of energy was for other appliances in the household, which was
approximately a fifth of the total amount. C / NC
4. Energy used for lighting as well as fridges and freezers was equal at 9% each. C / NC
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Task 4: Read the pie chart information. Choose the correct options to complete comparison
sentences.
The pie chart below shows the first place Germans and Nigerians go to in order to
access the news in a typical week.
(Archer, G., & Wijayatilake, C. (2018). Mindset for IELTS Level 3. Cambridge University Press.)

1. The percentage of German news followers on TV is …… that of Nigerians.

a. double b. one half c. approximately one half
2. The proportion of Germans reading newspaper …… that of Nigerians.
a. twice b. triples c. roughly triples
3. The allocation of Germans accessing news through radio is ….. that of Nigerians.
a. 12% less than b. 12% more than c. double
4. The percentage of German reading news on the internet is …… that of Nigerians.
a. 9 times lower b. 11 times greater than c. 10 times bigger than
5. The proportion of German accessing news through family and friends is …… that of
Nigerians.
a. 4 times greater than b. 4 times less than c. one fourth
III. Post-writing
Additional Questions for Practice
Here are more IELTS Task 1 – Pie Chart Questions for you to practice describing charts using
percentage, fractions and qualifiers.
Task 1: Read the pie chart information. Choose the correct options to complete
comparison sentences.
The pie chart below shows the world food consumption in 2014.

(Adapted from Academic task 1 sample essay: World Food Consumption. IELTS
Podcast. (2021, March 19).)

1. Meat was consumed the most, at just …. a third of the total amount.
a. exactly b. over c. under
2. Fish had the second highest consumption levels, at …..
a. a fifth b. 28% c. 12%
3. …. consumption accounted for 12% of the total.
a. Fruit b. Vegetable c. Cereal
4. Fruits’ share of consumption is just …. a tenth, followed closely by
vegetables (10%).
a. over b. under c. exactly
5. The consumption of …. contributed to only 5% of the world consumption in
2014.
a. rice b. bread c. cereals
6. The smallest food group in terms of world consumption was rice, at …..
a. 5% b. 2% c. 3%
 7. Animal-based foods (meat and fish) made up the …. proportion when
added together.
a. highest b. lowest c. average

Unit 8: INTRODUCTORY AND CONCLUDING PARAGRAPHS

I. Pre-writing
1. Definition
The introductory paragraph (i.e., the introduction) is the first paragraph of an essay. It explains
the topic and the writer's purpose. In IELTS essays, the introductory paragraph often includes:
1. background information (or a general statement);
2. a thesis statement.
The concluding paragraph (i.e., the conclusion) is the final paragraph. It reminds the reader of
what the writer has discussed in the essay and provides the writer’s final thought. It often
includes:
1. a restatement of the thesis;
2. an insight, an opinion, a recommendation, a prediction, or a call to action.
(Aquino-Cutcher, A. (2016). Unit 1. In Final draft 3: Essay, Cambridge University Press)

2. Structures
2.1. Structure of an introductory paragraph
2.1.1. Background information:
- is information on the topic
- sets up the reader for the thesis statement
* Types of background information:
- a general explanation of the topic
- historical information on the topic
- relevant data and statistics
- a paraphrase of the question prompt/ topic
2.1.2. The thesis statement: tells the reader what ideas will be developed in the body essay. It
often includes:
- a topic
- controlling idea, i.e. point of view that outlines what will be discussed in the body essay.
Examples:
Thesis statement is a point of view, not a statement of fact that everyone agrees on.
People may not agree with this idea and have a different point of view.
(Aquino-Cutcher, A. (2016). Unit 1. In Final draft 3: Essay, Cambridge University Press.) (Alice, O.,
& Ann, H. (2014). Page 202. In Longman Academic Writing Series 3: Paragraphs to Essays.
Pearson.)

2.2. Structure of a concluding paragraph

2.1.1. A restatement of the thesis statement:
The first sentence of the concluding paragraph restates the thesis statement by using synonyms
and changing sentence structures. It often begins with a transitional phrase such as In
conclusion, To conclude, To summarize, In short, To sum up.
Example:
- In conclusion, biking instead of driving has many benefits.
- To sum up, leading a healthy lifestyle can improve our physical and mental health.
2.1.2. Give a final statement:
The final statement is often:
- an insight or opinion: I have more respect for people who choose bicycles because it shows
that they care about the environment.
- a prediction: If everyone bikes or takes public transportation three days a week, most
communities would be cleaner and healthier places to live.
- a recommendation: Instead of spending money on new roads and buildings, communities
should create more parks and green spaces.
- a call to action: The city officials should pass laws imposing more tax on private transport.
=> The concluding paragraph, or conclusion, restates the topic and controlling ideas,
summarizes the main points discussed in the body, and/or presents a writer's final
statement.
* Never include any new idea in the conclusion.
(Aquino-Cutcher, A. (2016). Unit 1. In Final draft 3: Essay, Cambridge University Press.) (Alice, O.,
& Ann, H. (2014). Page 202. In Longman Academic Writing Series 3: Paragraphs to Essays.
Pearson.)
*Some sample structures of an introductory paragraph

Structures

1. Background information: 2. Thesis statement:

- It is widely believed that + S + V + O. This essay will discuss/ examine/

analyze
- It is true that + S + V + O.
+ N/N phrase.
- There is a growing interest in/ concern
about
+ [topic] noun phrase.

Examples:

- There is a growing concern about children obesity rate. This essay will examine
the causes of this problem.

- There is a growing concern about games online. This essay will discuss the
advantages that young children can have from playing these games.

- It is true that Nha Trang and Da Nang are very popular among tourists. This
essay will analyze the similarities and differences between these two cities.

*Some sample structures of a concluding paragraph

Structure Example

Causes – effects - SOLUTIONS

To summarize, several factors/ reasons In conclusion, several factors lead to
lead to + [N phrase] and the negative obesity among children in Western nations
influences/ impacts/ effects of this trend/ and the negative influences of this trend
phenomenon should be taken into should be taken into consideration.
consideration.

Advantages – disadvantages
BENEFITS - DRAWBACKS In conclusion, shopping online would
definitely benefit people, but there are also
In conclusion, topic [N phrase] would
some drawbacks that should be taken into
definitely benefit + someone/ something
consideration.
[, but there are also some drawbacks that
should be taken into consideration.]
In conclusion, learning another language
would definitely benefit students in the
future.

II. While-writing
1. Useful language for paraphrasing
1.1 Use synonyms
Example 1:

Example 2:

1.2. Use the following techniques

 2. Practice
Task 1: Read the following statements. Find the synonyms of the words and phrases in
bold.
For example: The government should support local businesses.
The government = the authorities
support = help/ assist
local businesses = local companies
1.Homework plays an important role in the education of children.

 ………………………………………………………………………………………………….
 …………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Many students nowadays choose to study English as a second language because they think
that English is a tool which helps them get a good job in the future.
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
3.Students leave high school without learning how to manage their money.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Task 2: Paraphrase the statements in Task 1 using synonyms and the techniques in 1.2.
For example: The government should support local businesses.
=> Local companies should be assisted by the authorities. (=> Technique: change the sentence to
passive voice)
1.Homework plays an important role in the education of children.

_________________________________________________________________________________________.

_________________________________________________________________________________________.

2. Many students nowadays choose to study English as a second language because they think
that English is a tool which helps them get a good job in the future.
_________________________________________________________________________________________.
_________________________________________________________________________________________.

3.Students leave high school without learning how to manage their money.

_________________________________________________________________________________________.

_________________________________________________________________________________________.

Task 3: Read the question and the introductory and concluding paragraphs. Choose the
best introductory and concluding paragraph for the provided question. Explain your
answer.
Some people argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children.
What are some positive effects of doing homework for children?

1. Introductory paragraph 2. Concluding paragraph

A.It is widely believed that students shouldA.To summarize, doing homework would
do exercises after school because these definitely benefit young students.
are an essential part of their study. However, there are also some drawbacks
that should be taken into consideration.
B.It is widely believed that students should
do exercises after school because these B.In conclusion, some people argue that
are an essential part of their study. This homework plays an important role in the
essay will discuss the advantages of education of children and I agree with this.
doing homework for young students.
C. It is widely believed that students should
C. In conclusion, doing homework would
do exercises after school because these
definitely benefit young students.
are an essential part of their lives, and
Therefore, they should be encouraged to
they can affect their future. This essay
maintain this practice on a daily basis.
will discuss the advantages of doing
homework for young students.

Task 4: Practice writing introductory and concluding paragraphs of the following

questions.
Topic 1: Many young people nowadays choose to study English as a second language because
they think that English is a tool which helps them get a good job in the future. What are some
advantages of learning English among youngsters?
Introduction:

_________________________________________________________________________________________.
_________________________________________________________________________________________.

Conclusion:

_________________________________________________________________________________________.

_________________________________________________________________________________________.

_________________________________________________________________________________________.

Topic 2: Students leave high school without learning how to manage their money. Why is this the
case and what are some possible solutions to this problem?
Introduction:

_________________________________________________________________________________________.

_________________________________________________________________________________________.

Conclusion:

_________________________________________________________________________________________.

UNIT 9: Advantages-Disadvantages Essay (Type 1)

I. PRE-WRITING
1. What is an Advantages-Disadvantages Essay?
Advantages and disadvantages essays are among the most popular essay types in the IELTS exam.
When encountering this essay type, you have to write about the good and bad points of a
common situation or topic. There are two different types of advantages and disadvantages
essays requiring different approaches. Here are the examples:
a. Type 1:
The advent of the Internet has made it possible for people to work from home. What are the
advantages and disadvantages of this professional arrangement?
 b. Type 2:
In the future, all cars, buses, and trucks will be driverless. The only people traveling inside these
vehicles will be passengers.
Do you think the advantages of driverless vehicles outweigh the disadvantages?

2. Patterns of Organizations

Type 1 Type 2

Introduction: (Paragraph 1) Introduction: (Paragraph 1)

 Topic: Paraphrase the question  Topic: Paraphrase the question
 Thesis statement (the essay discusses  Thesis statement (state which one
both advantages and disadvantages) outweighs the other)

Body: Body:
Paragraph 2: Advantages [AREA] Paragraph 2: Weaker side
 Topic sentence (1-2 advantages)  Topic sentence
 Explain the first advantage and provide  Provide examples/ other supporting
examples/ other supporting details details to clarify this side
 Explain the second advantage and  Explain why it is not strong
provide examples/ other supporting
 Provide examples/ other supporting
details
details
Paragraph 3: Stronger side
Paragraph 3: Disadvantages [AREA]
  Topic sentence (1-2  Topic sentence (1-2 advantages/
disadvantages) disadvantages)
 Explain the first disadvantage and  Explain the first advantage/
provide examples/ other supporting disadvantage and provide examples/
details other supporting details
 Explain the second disadvantage  Explain the second advantage/
and provide examples/ other supporting disadvantage and provide examples/ other
details supporting details

Conclusion: Conclusion:
 Restate thesis statement/  Restate thesis statement/
Summarize the main ideas Summarize the main ideas
 Closing sentence (e.g., warning,  Closing sentence (e.g., warning,
prediction, a suggestion, etc.) prediction, a suggestion, etc.)

In this level, the focus is on Type 1 – students only discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a
topic.

3. Sample Essay
Topic:
The advent of the Internet has made it possible for people to work from home. What are
the advantages and disadvantages of this professional arrangement?
Sample Essay:

It is generally believed that the Internet has revolutionized the world in many ways. Therefore,
people find it easier and more convenient to work from home. This essay will analyze the
advantages and disadvantages that arise when a person lives and works in the same place.
There are several benefits of working from home. Firstly, it can save the expenses and long
hours people spend on commuting because travelling to work can be expensive and time-
consuming. For example, I live about 15 km away from my company, and it usually takes me about
40 minutes to one hour to get to work. Therefore, when I worked at home during the COVID-19
pandemic, I saved about 2 hours of commuting and some gas money each day. Secondly, this
professional arrangement allows people to set up their own working schedules to work more
effectively. For instance, my co-worker realized that he is most productive at night.
Therefore, his productivity increased during the nights that he worked from home.

Nevertheless, working remotely may have significant disadvantages, such as causing

mental health issues and creating a poor work-life balance. First, when people work online,
many find it challenging to communicate with their colleagues. This may make them feel lonely,
anxious, and even depressed. Moreover, when turning their
home into an office, people would also experience an imbalance between their working and private
lives. Furthermore, when turning their home into an office, many people would also experience an
imbalance between their working and private lives. For instance, when I worked online, I had to
constantly be on-call as my co-workers contacted me day and night with their work-related
problems. As a result, sometimes, I just felt too overwhelmed and did not want to keep my job.
In conclusion, working remotely could bring about certain benefits, but its negative consequences
should not be overlooked. From my perspective, prospective remote workers should carefully weigh
their options before making a decision.
(323 words)
(Adapted from Ryan, H. (2017). IELTS Academic and General Task 2: How to write at a band 9 level
[Ebook] (2nd ed.)
Task 1: Read the sample essay and answer the following questions.
1. What is the main topic of this essay?

2. List two advantages of working from home that are provided in the sample essay.

3. List two disadvantages of working from home that are provided in the sample essay.

4. List 4 transitions in the sample essay.

 5. List at least three phrases with the same meaning as "to work from home."

Task 2: Outlining Practice.

Below is an outline for the sample essay. Some of the information is missing. Reread the essay and
complete the outline.
I. Introduction (Paragraph 1)
A. Topic: It is generally believed that the Internet has revolutionized the world in many
ways. Therefore, people find it easier and more convenient to work from home.
B. Thesis statement:
 II. Body

A. Paragraph 2 topic sentence: There are several benefits of working from home.

a. Advantage 1: Firstly, it can save the expenses and long hours people spend on
commuting because travelling to work can be expensive and time-consuming.
Supporting Details: For example, I live about 15 km away from my company, and it
usually takes me about 40 minutes to one hour to get to work. Therefore, when I
worked at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, I saved about 2 hours of commuting
and some gas money each day.
b. Advantage 2: _____________________________________________________________.
_____________________________________________________________.

Supporting Details:___________________________________________________________.

_____________________________________________________________.

B. Paragraph 3 topic sentence:

__________________________________________________________________________.

a. Disadvantage 1: _____________________________________________________________.
Supporting Details: ____________________________________________
b. Disadvantage 2: _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.
Supporting Details: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________.

III. Conclusion (Paragraph 4)

A. Restating thesis statement:

B. Closing sentence:

4. Language for Writing: Type 1

I. Introduction (Paragraph 1)
A. Topic: paraphrase the topic

 Nowadays/ Currently/These days, there has been a great increase in

the number of/ amount of
+ [noun phrase]
 It is generally believed/ universally acknowledged/ widely accepted
that + [clause The advent of the Internet has made it possible
for people to work from home.].].
 There is a growing concern about /interest in + [noun phrase].
B. Thesis statement:
  This essay will examine the advantages and disadvantages of + [noun
phrase].
 This essay will analyze the advantages and disadvantages that arise
when + [clause].
 This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this
[trend/situation/…].
 This [trend/situation/…] would create certain benefits, but there will
also be some drawbacks.
 Although this offers some great benefits, it also has some drawbacks,
which will be discussed in this essay/ the following paragraphs.
II. Body
A. Advantages:
a. Topic sentence:
 (On the one hand,) there are several reasons why + topic (noun
phrase) + is beneficial.
 The main/obvious advantage(s) of + topic (noun phrase) + are +
(noun phrase).
b. Specific advantages:
 One major/main advantage (of + topic (noun phrase)) + is that …
 A further/ An additional advantage is that … (Second advantage).
 Furthermore/ Moreover/ In addition to this,/Additionally/Besides +
clause (Second advantage)
 Firstly/ Secondly…
B. Disadvantages:
a. Topic sentence:
 On the other hand/ However/ Nevertheless, there are a number of
disadvantages of + topic (noun phrase) + that people should take
into consideration.
 Topic (noun phrase) + has significant disadvantages/drawbacks,
such as …
c. Specific disadvantages:
 One major/main disadvantage (of + topic (noun phrase)) + is that
…
  A further/ An additional disadvantage is that … (Second
disadvantage)
 Furthermore/ Moreover/ In addition to this,/ Additionally/Besides +
clause (Second disadvantage)
 Firstly/ Secondly…

III. Conclusion:
 In conclusion, ...
 To conclude, ...
 To summarize, …
IV. Some synonyms of “advantages” and “disadvantages”:
 Advantages: benefit, strength, merit, upside, positive aspect,
positive impact, positive effect.

 Disadvantages: drawback, weakness, shortcoming, demerit,

downside, negative aspect, negative impact, negative effect,
challenges, limitations.

5. Writing topic
With the rise of e-books comes the decline in paper books. Some people
see this as a good step forward while others do not.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
Write a complete essay of at least 180 words
Task 1: Complete the following T-chart to brainstorm idea for the writing
topic above.

Advantages Disadvantages

Advantage 1: easy to handle and carry Disadvantage 1: e-books can affect readers’
visual health seriously

Supporting idea 1: one can store hundreds

of books on his or her tablet/phones Supporting idea 1:
Advantage 2: a great solution to Disadvantage 2: people often get distracted
deforestation easily

Supporting idea 2: Supporting idea 2:

Task 2: Use the texts below to choose the correct text for each part in the
Outline of the essay

Text 1: There are several reasons why using e-books is beneficial.

Text 2: Firstly, they are extremely easy to handle and carry. For instance, one can
store hundreds of books on his or her tablet and read while traveling.
Text 3: This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using e-books in our
modern world.

Text 4: In addition, these books are a great solution to deforestation, which is a

main cause of climate change.
Text 5: More specifically, because of the blue light from electronic devices, our eyes
can suffer from different illnesses such as short-sightedness and eyestrain.
Text 6: Nevertheless, there are a number of disadvantages of e-books that people
should take into consideration. One of the main drawbacks is that such books can
affect readers’ visual health seriously.
Text 7: Another drawback is the fact that people often get distracted easily when
reading a book on a smart gadget such as their phones.
Text 8: To conclude, I do believe that e-books bring many benefits to readers, but
we also need to take into consideration several drawbacks of this trend. Therefore,
depending on our specific lifestyles and preferences, we can always find the most
suitable medium to read books and enhance our own knowledge.
Text 9: In recent year, there has been an increasing trend towards the use of digital
books over printed ones.

6. HOMEWORK:

Here are more ideas for topics for an advantages-disadvantages essay.

TOPIC 2: It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing
school and going to university. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Planning an outline
I. Introduction (Paragraph 1)
A. Topic:

B. Thesis statement:

II. Body
A. Paragraph 2 topic sentence:

a. Advantage 1:

i. Supporting Details:

b. Advantage 2:
 i. Supporting Details:

B. Paragraph 3 topic sentence:

a. Disadvantage 1:

i. Supporting Details:

b. Disadvantage 2:

i. Supporting Details:

II. Conclusion (Paragraph 4)

A. Restating thesis statement/ Summarize the main ideas:

B. Closing sentence:

SPEAKING
 1. Useful structures &
Practice

1 . Study the useful structures below.

(+) Useful expressions to talk about your likes:

- I am a big fan of + [V_ing/ Noun phrase].
- I am passionate about + [V_ing/ Noun phrase].
- I am crazy about + [V_ing/ Noun phrase].
*Examples:
- I am a big fan of non-fiction books, so I spend most of my free time reading
books in the library.
- I am passionate about cooking. Therefore, I always look for new recipes on the
Internet.
- I am crazy about computer games. I spend most of my leisure time playing all
kinds of games with my friends.

(-) Useful expressions to talk about your dislikes:

- [V_ing/ Noun phrase] + is not my cup of tea.
- [V_ing/ Noun phrase] + really drives me insane.
- [V_ing/ Noun phrase] + is not my kind of thing.
*Examples:
- Playing online games is not my cup of tea.
- Babysitting really drives me insane.
- Doing extreme sports is not my kind of thing.

Sample answers
1. I am interested in a lot of activities. However, I am really passionate about
comedy movies. I can always relieve stress after watching them.
2. It depends a lot on each generation. The elderly like reading books
and newspapers or gardening since they can find peace of mind through
these pastimes. On the other hand, most youngsters would be crazy
about traveling. This is because traveling allows them to relax and expand their
knowledge.
3. Well, I am a big fan of dancing. I spend 2 hours in my dancing class since it
helps me relieve stress and improve my health.
4. I believe it is important to have a hobby in this modern world. We have to deal
with a lot of stress and pressure from work and study every day.
Therefore, doing something amusing will help us reduce stress and maintain a
happy life.
5. Frankly speaking, spending too much time on a hobby can have a negative
effect on someone because it is pretty challenging for them to balance their life.
For example, if we spend most of our day watching movies, we will not have time
for other activities, such as working or studying.

Useful structures to introduce someone.

The person that I would like to tell you about is _____.
The person that I (want to spend the most time with/ consider my best friend/
admire the most) is _____.
When it comes to (the closest friend/ my most admired person/ …), I would
immediately think of_____.
Examples:
The person that I would like to tell you about is my dad.
The person that I want to spend the most time with is my mom.
When it comes to the closest friend, I would immediately think of Tina.

* Useful structures to describe someone’s personality.

I like him/ her because S + V + Adj/ O.
The reason why I like him/ her is that S + V + Adj/ O.
What I like most about A’s personality is S + V + Adj/ O.
Examples:
I like him because he is very caring and understanding.
The reason why I like him is because he is very honest.
What I like most about Anna’s personality is that she always tries to help others.

* Useful structures to move on to the next point.

Regarding _____, S + V + O.
With respect to _____, S + V + O.
About _____, S + V + O.
Examples:
Regarding her personality, I would say she is a down-to-earth person.
With respect to his personality, he is kind and approachable.
About his appearance, he is tall and thin.
3. Practice asking and answering the following questions. The answer is
there to guide you, please think of your own answer.
Describe a person in your family that you admire.
You should say:
 Who that person is;
 What this person looks like;
 What you do when you are together;
and explain why you like him or her.
Sample answers
The person that I admire the most in my family is my dad. He is the
breadwinner in my family.
Regarding appearance, my dad is tall and thin. Because he frequently works
under the sun, he also has very dark skin.
He is the kindest man on earth that I’ve ever known. He’s been working so hard all
his life to support my family, but he’s never complained about that. Besides, he is
very approachable and caring. Whenever I have problems, he is willing to give me
some valuable advice to help solve those problems. To be honest, my dad has set a
good example for me about being a responsible person. At work, he always works
hard and stays late to support his colleagues, not because he is ambitious or
wants to be promoted, but because he wants the company to provide the best
service to customers. I really admire him for that.
In addition, he is also a role model as a good parent. The way he teaches me is
very different from others. He would always try to talk to me to understand my
problems and give me good advice. On our days off, we often watch TV together,
talk about popular topics on the Internet, or just sit down and share our stories, so I
know more about his jobs and his difficulties.
I am forever thankful to have him as my dad because he is one of the most
admirable people I have ever known.

* Useful structures to describe a place:

1. It was one of the most (beautiful/ amazing/ wonderful) places I have ever
visited/been to.
2. The highlight of the trip/ visit was +V-ing/ N phrase.
Example: The highlight of the trip/ visit was going to the night market to enjoy the
local cuisine.

* Useful structures to describe the purpose of your visit:

1. We decided to visit this place:
- because we wanted to learn more about (the lifestyle/ the culture/ the history/ the
custom and cuisine) of this place.
- because of the (culture/ cuisine) of this place.
2. We decided to go by bike/ by bus/ on foot to feel the atmosphere of (this city/ this
place/ this area).

* Useful sentences with relative clauses:

1. There are many reasons why I like this country/ city/ area.
2. Coffee house has become a favorite coffee shop that / which I always go to.
3. I love the interior design of the hotel, which is very cool and calm.
3. Practice asking and answering the following questions. The answer is
there to guide you; please think of your own answer.
Describe a beautiful place you once visited.
You should say
 When you visited it
 Where is it situated
 Whom you went with
 What about it you like the most

Sample answer

Last summer holiday, I had a chance to visit an ancient village in the

Northern part of our country in Ha Giang province. To me, it was one of the
most beautiful places that I’ve ever been to.

Our group of 3 people decided to visit this village because we wanted to get
away from city life. Moreover, we wanted to enjoy the
peaceful atmosphere and learn more about the lifestyle of the local
people there.

Since we had to begin our trip early, I was kind of tired from not having
enough sleep. However, I was over the moon shortly after embarking
on the trip to the village. This was because on the way to get there, we had a
chance to see the amazing views which are different from the city we are
currently living in. After a long drive, we got to the wonderful old village. We
rented some bikes to cycle around the village, visited some 400-year-old
ancient houses, and had a look at communal houses where the local people
gathered for festival celebrations or public meetings. The highlight of the
trip was going to the paddy fields to help the farmers harvest the crop. It
was challenging but also a once-in-a-lifetime experience which we really
enjoyed. At night, we had a lot of fun with recreational activities such as
singing and dancing with the people in the village.

It was such a nice trip that I hope that when I’m older, I can live a peaceful
life and surround myself with fresh air and beautiful paddy fields like in this
place.
 Useful expressions to  talk
Useful expressions to
talk about your about the benefit of
interest something
S + gain a lot of benefits from +
I’m into + Ving / Noun. Ving/ N phrase.

e.g.: I'm really into art. e.g.: I gain a lot of benefits

from learning how to draw.
I'm interested in + Ving / The first advantage (of doing
Noun something) is that S + V + O.

e.g.: I'm interested e.g.: The first advantage of drawing is

in paintings. that it helps to relax your mind.
Another benefit (of doing
I love + Ving / Noun something) is + Noun/ S + V + O.

e.g.: I love painting portraits. e.g.: Another benefit of drawing is I

can express myself better.

Sample answers

1. Yes, I did. I was really into art classes when I was young. I think it is
because I love playing with colors. Art lessons always uplifted my
mood. There was not as much stress as in math and literature classes.

2. I don't usually have time for drawing because I am so busy with

schoolwork and deadlines. Besides, I do not have any inspiration for drawing
now. I think I may go to an art class in the future just to relax my mind.

3. To be honest, I have never been to an art gallery or exhibition before,

mainly because I didn't have enough money to go there. Furthermore, my
school schedule is tight, so I could not do anything besides study. However, I
would love to visit an art gallery in the future to learn more about the world’s
famous masterpieces.

4. I like to decorate my walls with pictures of natural landscapes because

they bring in Mother Nature's beauty and uplift my mood whenever I look at
them after a long day at work. I would also love to have portraits of my
family members so we can feel more connected.
2. Study the useful tip below.
 Applying the A.R.E.A technique to deal with part 3 IELTS speaking
questions.

Answer: give a direct answer to the question

Reason: explain why you think this way.

Example: give an example for your reason

Alternative: give an alternative or the opposite side (optional)

E.g.: Do you like to use technology?

Sample answer:

Answer: Yes, I am a big fan of technology. I love using cutting-

edge devices.

Reason: I always feel that technology has made our life easier and more
convenient.

Example: For example, in the past, we had to write letters to communicate

with each other, and it took weeks to deliver. Today, thanks to
the innovation of the Internet and cutting-edge gadgets, we can send
messages within the blink of an eye.

(No alternative)

 Applying useful structure/expression to share your opinion:

- From my perspective, I would say that the Internet has brought many
advantages to people's lives.

- To be honest, I believe that the Internet has brought many advantages

to people's lives.

- I have to admit that I don't know much about this topic, but I
think the Internet has brought many advantages to people's lives.

 Applying useful structure to give reasons:

- I really love using new technology. This is because it makes my life more
manageable.

- I really love using new technology. The reason for this is that it makes
my life more manageable.

- I really love using new technology. I mean it makes my life more

manageable.

 Applying useful transitions to give examples:

- For example/ For instance,

- Let me give you an example.

E.g.: For example, a low-tech person would avoid using any modern
devices.

Let me give you an example. A low-tech person would avoid using

any modern devices.

Sample answers

1. I believe that technology has had a big impact on people's lives. This is
because the young generation nowadays spend most of their time on their
phone instead of having face-to-face conversations. For example, we can
easily find teenagers filming themselves on TikTok or surfing Facebook while
sitting with others. Even when studying, they prefer to do homework on their
smartphones instead of in a book.

2. Yeah, I agree that males are more interested in technological innovation,

such as the fastest chip or the OLED screen. This is because most men are
more curious to experience the latest gadgets and learn all their new
functions. For instance, a new gaming laptop with high-tech features is more
attractive to a man, whereas a woman may choose a laptop because it’s light
and it looks nice.

3. In my view, the technological gadgets used in most offices are phones,

printers, photocopiers, and especially computers because people rely on
computers for almost everything. For example, we can use computers to
communicate with customers by email, write reports, search for information
on the Internet, etc.

4. To be honest, I believe that technology has had a significant impact on

people's employment. On its negative side, I think technology has led to the
loss of several jobs. This is because machines have replaced humans in
factories. For example, many factories now rely on robots in the production
line and cut down on the number of workers.

5. Teaching the elderly to use technology can be difficult. However, I think it

is possible when we use simple language and show them step-by-step. I
mean, the older generations are usually very low-tech. Therefore, to help
them learn how to use cutting-edge technology, it’s better to explain slowly
and demonstrate the steps clearly.

3. Study the useful techniques

below
Expressions Examples
If I have to choose between If I have to choose between the
[Option A] and [Option B], I’ll traditional newspaper and the online
definitely opt for the former/ version, I will definitely opt for the latter
the latter one. one.
N + grabs someone’s The shocking news quickly grabbed my
attention attention.
The Internet has made it possible for
N + has made it possible for
the public to know more details about
someone + to V
one person’s personal life.

Sample answers

1. Most adults in my country, especially older people, rely on conventional

newspapers and television channels for current affairs. On the other hand,
many office workers often visit online news pages to get instant updates on
social events. Young people prefer to get their news from online newspapers
and their favorite social networking sites.

2. As I mentioned earlier, I like to read the news on Tuoi Tre and Thanh Nien
on a daily basis. When I have some free time in the evening, I can also watch
the latest news from some popular channels online like Fox News, abc News,
and CBS News.

3. I think it is more convenient and faster to spread information nowadays

compared to the old days. With the innovation of the Internet, we can
get instant updates and share information online with just a few clicks. For
instance, now we can get updated with live World Cup matches and know the
match’s results immediately. In addition, we can share live games on social
networking sites with our friends. However, it was impossible to do this in
the past, and we had to wait for the newspapers to publish the results the
next morning.

4. Well, I think most of us are curious about famous people's lives since they
are very different from our ordinary lives. The Internet has made it possible
for the public to know more details about others’ personal lives. For
example, in the TV series “Blackpink: Light up the sky,” fans learn more
about their competition, practice sessions, dreams, and journeys to global
idols. Another reason might be because we can learn something from
celebrities, such as hard work and patience.

4.Study the useful

expressions below
Structures/Expressions Examples
From my perspective, S + V
From my perspective, fossil fuels are
+ O.
not sustainable sources of energy for
the future.
(to express your opinion)
I think it is likely/unlikely
I think it is likely that humans will be
that S + V + O.
able to find a solution to current
environmental problems thanks to the
(to give predictions for the
development of technology.
future)
Noun 1 (a problem) + be
caused by + noun 2/ noun Air pollution is caused by the increase
phrase 2 (a reason) in the number of vehicles on the
streets.
(to give a reason)
A lead to B
Cutting down trees leads to the
(to talk about the cause and
destruction of natural habitats.
consequence; A is the cause; B
is the consequence)

Sample answers
1. From my perspective, most environmental issues are caused
by human activities. Firstly, in order to run our vehicles and operate our
machines, we burn fossil fuels which emit a huge amount of greenhouse
gases such as carbon dioxide and cause serious problems such as air
pollution and global warming. Moreover, we also cut down forests for land to
expand our cities. This activity leads to the destruction of natural habitats
and threatens the lives of many wild animals.

2. In my opinion, the authorities should educate people and make more

rules about recycling and using plastic bags; then, perhaps we would see a
difference. A good example of this is Kenya. Recently, I read in the news
about how Kenya has passed a law making it illegal to use plastic bags.
Another example is that people in the UK must pay for using plastic bags
when shopping. To conclude, governments and everyone should work
together to save our environment before it is too late.

3. I think it is likely that many new technologies will be able to save the
Earth from its current conditions. First, renewable energy can replace fossil
fuels which have caused severe damage to the environment. For example,
electric vehicles and machines in the future will get their energy from the sun
and emit zero greenhouse gas into the air. Moreover, biologists may find a
way to preserve the DNA of extinct animals and bring them back to the
environment to restore natural biodiversity.

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